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Change is the only constant in points and miles, and that’s certainly been the case in the first quarter of 2025. While we’ve seen major program shake-ups — like Southwest Airlines dropping its longstanding Bags Fly Free policy — there have also been plenty of smaller, not-so-flashy changes, too. These often fly under the radar but are still worth knowing about in case they impact a partnership, benefit, or loyalty program you participate in.
In this third installment of Points of Interest, we’ll walk you through some of the behind-the-scenes loyalty program changes that have happened over the past few months.
Page Contents
- China Southern Will No Longer Be a Delta Air Lines Partner
- Delta Sets New Earning Conditions for ITA Airways Flights
- Marriott Tweaks Its Continental Breakfast Policy at Four Properties
- A Marriott Residences Property Now Participates in the Bonvoy Program
- Emirates Expanded Its Partnership With Garuda Indonesia
- Emirates Slashes Earning Rate on TAP Air Portugal Executive Fares
- Emirates to End Its Partnership With One & Only Resorts
- Accor Ends Two-Way Conversion Partnership With Oman Air and Hainan
- Redeem Turkish Miles & Smiles for Upgrades on Air India
- Final Thoughts
China Southern Will No Longer Be a Delta Air Lines Partner
Delta partners with over a dozen airlines, including a few based in China — but its partnership with China Southern is coming to an end on August 10, 2025. The last day to earn Delta SkyMiles and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) on China Southern flights will be the day before.
Delta hasn’t given a reason for the split, but it’s worth noting that American Airlines owns a small equity stake in China Southern and is also an AA partner airline. That said, Delta still partners with China Eastern, China Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines — so you’ll have options for flying to and through China on a Delta partner once this specific partnership winds down.
Delta Sets New Earning Conditions for ITA Airways Flights
ITA Airways is leaving SkyTeam for Star Alliance — but surprisingly, it’s not ending its partnership with Delta. That said, things will look mildly different starting May 1, 2025. From that date on, SkyMiles members will only earn miles on:
- ITA-marketed/operated flights
- Delta-marketed/ITA-operated flights
- ITA-marketed/Delta-operated flights
In other words, you can no longer earn SkyMiles when booking ITA flights through other partners and crediting your flights to Delta.
For reference, ITA’s official exit from SkyTeam is April 30, 2025. You can still book ITA flights with SkyMiles as of now — but it's unclear whether that’ll still be the case after May 1.
Marriott Tweaks Its Continental Breakfast Policy at Four Properties
Marriott’s breakfast policy is infamously complex — and as of January 1, 2025, it got a little more confusing.
If you’re a Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, or Ambassador Elite, you get a “Guaranteed Welcome Amenity” when you check-in. Depending on the brand, that usually means a choice between bonus points or free breakfast (or a food and beverage credit). If you go with breakfast and the hotel has a lounge, you’ll be directed there. If the lounge is closed, Marriott generally gives you 1,000 points per stay instead.
Except now, that policy won’t apply at these four properties:
- Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
- JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
- Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
- Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
So, if the lounge is closed when you visit one of these properties, you’ll likely walk away empty-handed (and hungry).
Related: How To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status and the Perks of Each Tier
A Marriott Residences Property Now Participates in the Bonvoy Program
The Marriott Residences Salgados Resort, Algarve, just became the only Residences-branded property to participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. After a quiet update to the terms and conditions, Marriott clarified that you can now earn points and Elite Night Credits on eligible stays at this property.
It’s unclear whether other Residences-branded properties — like JW Residences or Renaissance Residences — will follow suit. For now, none of the others earn Bonvoy points or elite night credit, even if they offer a paid Bonvoy membership rate.
Related: Which Marriott Hotel Brands Earn the Most Points?
Emirates Expanded Its Partnership With Garuda Indonesia
Emirates doesn’t belong to a major airline alliance. Instead, it maintains an extensive network of airline partners. In late February, Emirates expanded its partnership with Garuda Indonesia and made the SkyTeam airline a full earn-and-redeem partner.
If you choose to credit your Garuda Indonesia flights to Emirates Skywards — instead of GarudaMiles or even Delta SkyMiles — you'll want to pay close attention to the new accrual chart:
More notably, Emirates also introduced a new redemption table for Garuda flights. The chart is distance-based and includes fairly reasonable award rates, especially for long-haul business class. But unfortunately, you can't redeem Skywards miles for a Garuda first-class ticket.
If you're interested in redeeming Emirates Skywards for a Garuda Indonesia award flight — or on any other Emirates partner — and need to stock up on miles, you have plenty of options. Skywards miles are easily accessible, thanks to numerous transfer partners:
Related: The Best Uses of Emirates Skywards Miles
Emirates Slashes Earning Rate on TAP Air Portugal Executive Fares
TAP Air Portugal is another Emirates partner, and it recently saw a small (negative) change to its accrual table. Emirates reduced the number of Skywards miles earned on “P” class Executive fares. These tickets now earn 100% of miles flown, which is down from 150%.
It’s a minor adjustment but one to be aware of if you frequently fly TAP (in this specific fare class) and credit those flights to Skywards.
Emirates to End Its Partnership With One & Only Resorts
One & Only Resorts operates a portfolio of unique “one-off” resorts in remote places — and it's long been a partner with Emirates. In addition to earning Skywards miles, Gold and Platinum members have received benefits like room upgrades and late checkout.
Unfortunately, this partnership will end on March 31, 2025. However, the last day to earn miles on stays was February 15. It’s unclear whether elite-like benefits will continue to be honored through the end of the month.
Related: Credit Card Hotel Collections That Offer Elite-Like Benefits Without Needing Elite Status
Accor Ends Two-Way Conversion Partnership With Oman Air and Hainan
Accor Live Limitless partners with more than two dozen airlines, many of which offer two-way point transfers. However, the list of partners has recently contracted by two.
First, Accor removed Oman Air from its list of partners and taken down the partnership landing page on January 25, 2025. While the partnership was active, Accor members could convert 4,000 Rewards points into 1,500 Sindbad miles, and Sindbad members could convert 1,500 miles into 500 Rewards points.
Then, on March 20, 2025, Accor ended its two-way transfer partnership with the Hainan Fortune Wings Club. Until this week, travelers could get 2,000 Accor Rewards points for every 1,000 Fortune Wings points transferred — or 2,500 Fortune Wings points for every 500 Accor Rewards points transferred.
The transfer ratios weren't great on either of these, but these types of partnerships are handy for rescuing orphaned mileage balances. On the bright side, Live Limitless members still have access to a long list of other airline partners:
Redeem Turkish Miles & Smiles for Upgrades on Air India
The Star Alliance has a robust reciprocal upgrade award system. Mileage program users from one Star Alliance program (e.g., United MileagePlus) can redeem miles to upgrade when flying on another airline (e.g., Air New Zealand). Each mileage program sets its rules and rates for these upgrades.
Star Alliance Mileage Upgrades got a tiny bit more expansive this month with the addition of using Turkish Miles & Smiles miles to upgrade certain Air India fare classes. However, you'll need to book some expensive tickets to take advantage of this option. Only economy flights booked in fare classes Y and B (considered full-fare economy fares) and business class flights booked in C or D fare classes are eligible for upgrades.
Even if you booked an eligible fare, there are likely cheaper ways to upgrade your flight. For example, upgrading an Air India flight between North America and Central Asia (the region that includes India) costs a whopping 100,000 Turkish Miles & Smiles.
While this option likely isn't going to be useful, it's worth keeping in mind that Star Alliance Mileage Upgrades exist in case you can find an option that works for you between another set of Star Alliance partners.
Final Thoughts
Loyalty programs are constantly changing — and not always in ways that benefit you. While flashy updates make headlines, plenty of small tweaks, both good and bad, slip by quietly, usually buried in the fine print where most won't notice. But that's where Points of Interest comes in: to inform you of things airlines, hotels, and other loyalty programs do not.
Missed previous issues of Points of Interest?
- Points of Interest December 2024: Emirates Slashes Mileage Earnings, IHG Doubles Point Earnings, Marriott Inks New Partnership, And More
- Points of Interest October 2024: Amex Centurion Lounge Closes Spa, New Delta Partner Earnings Chart, and More
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